Florida
TAMPA, Fla. (11/11/2026) — Kate Novik's go-ahead layup with 24 seconds remaining lifted the South Florida Bulls to a 72-70 victory over the Florida Gators in a dramatic early-season clash at Thomas Hill Arena on Wednesday night.
How It Happened
South Florida controlled the game from the opening tip, building a lead they would never surrender — but Florida made them earn every point down the stretch.
Stefanie Ingram set the tone immediately, draining a 25-foot three-pointer just 2:25 into the game to put the Bulls up 7-0. Florida responded with back-to-back triples from Kiyomi McMiller to keep the Gators within striking distance, and a buzzer-beating layup from Jordan Jones pulled Florida to 15-17 heading into the second quarter.
The Bulls answered that momentum swing by pushing the margin to double digits in the second period. A deep three from Savannah Curry off an Ingram assist stretched the lead to 26-18, and South Florida entered halftime ahead 35-29 — in control, but far from comfortable.
The third quarter was where South Florida did its most decisive work. Fatou Diakite buried a 25-footer to cap a 15-point swing that ballooned the Bulls' lead to 50-35, and despite a pair of long-range answers from Moriah Murray, Ingram punctuated the period with a driving layup in the final seconds to send USF into the fourth quarter ahead 62-46.
Florida refused to fold. The Gators chipped away throughout the final period, with Jade Weathersby drilling a three to cut it to 51-64, then continued applying pressure as the deficit shrank to single digits. With 3:54 remaining, Hannah Kohn splashed a 30-foot bomb to push the Bulls' cushion back to nine at 70-61 — but Florida found another gear.
The Gators rallied to tie the game at 70, setting the stage for the game's decisive possession.
Turning Point
With South Florida's 16-point third-quarter lead seemingly evaporated and the Gators surging, Novik attacked the basket and converted a layup with 24 seconds left to restore the Bulls' edge at 72-70. Florida's final possession came up empty, and South Florida escaped with the two-point victory.
The game featured zero lead changes — USF held the advantage from start to finish — but Florida's relentless fourth-quarter push turned a potential comfortable win into a one-possession thriller. The Bulls' ability to answer at the critical moment defined the outcome.
Star of the Game
Stefanie Ingram delivered a performance that carried South Florida when Florida threatened to seize momentum. The Bulls' standout finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists — a complete line that touched every facet of the game. She knocked down the Bulls' first three-pointer of the night to establish their early edge, fed Kohn for two crucial three-pointers in the second half, and punctuated the third quarter with a layup that pushed the lead to 16. Ingram's combination of scoring punch and playmaking proved impossible for Florida to consistently contain.
Kohn complemented Ingram with 12 points, including clutch shots from deep when USF needed to respond to Florida's runs. Kendall Puryear added 10 points and five rebounds, and Novik contributed seven points and seven boards before her game-winning bucket.
For Florida, McMiller led all scorers with 14 points on a night when the Gators hit 30 percent from three. Weathersby posted 15 points and seven rebounds, and Vivian Iwuchukwu was a force inside with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Despite generating 14 assists as a team — five more than South Florida — the Gators' 44 percent shooting couldn't offset a rebounding deficit that saw USF outboard them 41-31.
What It Means
For South Florida, this victory signals early promise. The Bulls shot 48 percent from the field, dominated the glass, and produced a triple-double-caliber performance from their best player — the hallmarks of a team with real competitive identity. Surviving a late collapse against a Power Four program demonstrates the kind of mental resilience that matters over a long season.
Florida will take lessons from the final 10 minutes, when the Gators nearly erased a 16-point deficit against a quality opponent. The rally showed genuine fight, but 13 turnovers and a rebounding disadvantage ultimately left the Gators with too steep a hill to climb. The 1,215 fans at Thomas Hill Arena witnessed a preview of what should be a competitive women's basketball season across the region.
